A young man's moment of triumph is spoiled when he gets kidnapped before he can impress his father in this black comedy. Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman), a well-respected scientist, has learned that he's won the Nobel Prize in… MoreA young man's moment of triumph is spoiled when he gets kidnapped before he can impress his father in this black comedy. Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman), a well-respected scientist, has learned that he's won the Nobel Prize in chemistry, which is a mixed blessing for his friends and family; while Eli's ego is a bit strong under the best of circumstances, this affirmation of his talent and intelligence has made him insufferable. Eli's wife, Sarah (Mary Steenburgen), a talented forensic psychiatrist, is more than annoyed by Eli's fondness for extramarital affairs (and lack of concern about hiding them), while his son, Barkley (Bryan Greenberg), has spent much of his life struggling to live up to his dad's expectations, with little success. Barkley is about to receive his Ph.D, just in time for his father's prize ceremony, when he's abducted by a pair of hapless crooks. The kidnappers demand Eli's two-million-dollar Nobel honorarium in exchange for Barkley's safe return. Also starring Bill Pullman, Danny DeVito, Eliza Dushku, and Shawn Hatosy, Nobel Son received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Nobel Son is a well thought black comedy with a great cast and directing. I really enjoyed the film because it offers up a good idea for a movie, and with a… MoreNobel Son is a well thought black comedy with a great cast and directing. I really enjoyed the film because it offers up a good idea for a movie, and with a fine lead performance from Alan Rickman, who always is best as playing characters that are arrogant. This is a smart film with a great cast, a clever script and great directing. The plot is well structured and it is an entertaining film that is smart and funny, something that is rare to see in comedies because everyone wants the same old tiresome humor. Nobel Son is a film that will certainly appeal to viewers looking for a different type of comedy, and with a cast like this, you can be thoroughly engaged into the story, its characters and what is going on on-screen. This is one of those rare films that succeed at creating something really original and combining it with a well layered plot. I really loved the film, and it is a fine independent production due to Rickman's performance which really stands out. I wish more films like this would get a wider release because in today's comedy genre, nearly every comedy tends to recycle the same dull material, which ends up falling flat. Nobel Son has its imperfections, but it is worth seeing if you enjoy these types of Black comedies. With a great cast at hand, this is a highly entertaining film that combines serious elements with the not so serious to create one of the better films in the genre. This film is really a treat for film fans that enjoy independent productions such as this.

♥˩ƳИИ ƜѲѲƉƧ♥

Cast: Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Shawn Hatosy, Mary Steenburgen, Bill Pullman, Eliza Dushku, Danny DeVito, Ted Danson, Ernie Hudson, Tracey Walter, Lindy… MoreCast: Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Shawn Hatosy, Mary Steenburgen, Bill Pullman, Eliza Dushku, Danny DeVito, Ted Danson, Ernie Hudson, Tracey Walter, Lindy Booth, Kevin West
Director: Randall Miller
Summary: On the verge of receiving the Nobel Prize in chemistry, Prof. Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman) learns that kidnappers have snatched his son Barkley (Bryan Greenberg), a promising graduate student. But when the captors want a ransom of $2 million -- the exact amount of the Nobel Prize money -- the self-serving Eli refuses to cough up the cash in this vitriolic tale about an acutely dysfunctional family.
My Thoughts: "This movie is full of twists and turns, and I wasn't expecting any of it. I was expecting a dark comedy, which I got, but it also was a bit of a thriller. It was quite funny thanks to Alan Rickman. His character is completely full of himself, and his comments will either have you annoyed or laughing. I have seen some films with Shawn Hatosy, and I really like his acting. I thought this movie's story was fresh and interesting. Has a great cast all around. The story althought being fresh, is a bit farfetched. But its interesting none the less. Give it watch.. "

Walter M.

In "Nobel Son," chemistry professor and Nobel Prize winner Eli Michaelson(Alan Rickman) and his wife Sarah(Mary Steenburgen) wait patiently at the… MoreIn "Nobel Son," chemistry professor and Nobel Prize winner Eli Michaelson(Alan Rickman) and his wife Sarah(Mary Steenburgen) wait patiently at the gate for their flight to Stockholm. But their son Barkley(Bryan Greenberg), who is currently working on his anthropology PhD thesis on cannibalism, has not yet put in an appearance. His getting distracted explains why he is not there, spending the night and morning with City Hall(Eliza Dushku, who might have missed her calling as a slam poet). Finally returning home, Barkley is attacked by an unknown stranger(Shawn Hatosy, who is convincingly creepy).
"Nobel Son" proves that no matter how hard cutting off a thumb may be, successfully pulling off an offbeat noir film is much harder. Only a few scenes really work. Of course, a serious lack of logic and character development do not help, either. It would have been much more interesting if Eli had started off as much beloved by everybody around, slowly revealing him to be a cad, which would have made it hard for Eli to grow up in the great man's shadow, creating tension in the process. Instead, the first we see of Eli is having sex with one of his students(Lindy Booth) on top of his desk which instantly establishes him as something of a lout. That just leaves us wondering what exactly his wife saw in him in the first place.

William Goss

An aggressively atonal crime caper - smug and glib and apathetic as to who gets what, so long as it seems clever in the meantime.

Film Crazy

This movie, gets three stars purely for Rickman as he is awesome! Like everything that Alan Rickman is in he also proves to be a phenomenal actor even if the… MoreThis movie, gets three stars purely for Rickman as he is awesome! Like everything that Alan Rickman is in he also proves to be a phenomenal actor even if the script and plot of the movie isnt up to scratch!
Being a huge Alan Rickman fan i absolutely loved this movie, i was wishing that he was my professor that i could have an affair with however that aside the story itself is a bit over-ambitious!
Your given a straight forward plot that gives you laughs and enjoyment but then the story goes somewhere completely else and gets a little bit harder to keep up as the plot delves into sub plots and a whole new direction in the last half of the movie!
Although its a movie you can understand and follow you are left bewildered as to why they took that direction towards the end, and possibly there could have been a more satisfying ending! Its a good cast Alan Rickman is awesome and i love the American Accent hes putting on it makes him even more sexy! He's great and the supporting cast have their moments but the movie as a whole is a little disappointing.
Rickman fans will enjoy this movie though!

paul sandberg

This film is fresh only because of Alan Rickman's wonderful turn as the self absorbed Nobel Laureate; otherwise it's too tricky by half and too… MoreThis film is fresh only because of Alan Rickman's wonderful turn as the self absorbed Nobel Laureate; otherwise it's too tricky by half and too contrived and self conscious by at least that much.
Just as the coffee house "poets" take their turn offending the audience, this film tries way too hard to be witty; from the ultra hip music soundtrack, to the glib remarks from all concerned - only to fall into a feel good cliche ending that is only saved, once again, by Rickman who, wallowing in his angst of defeat, gets that learing glint in his eye as a neophyte student enters his lair.
There are moments here that work rather well, and I was being entertained by the absurdity of the son's situation, until the abductor turns up renting the apartment attached to the family dwelling. From this point (about 2/3 through the film) it's a downhill ride into contrived plot and absurd devices - some sloppy writing and.... you get the idea.
There are several "huh?" moments - for example, the film takes place in LA, but the son, in blackmailing his former abductor, tells him to put the cash in a locker at the bus station in Stovepipe Wells (which is in Death Valley, well over 150 miles away and not all that easy to get to). There's a nice picture of an old run down gas station - unfortunately, it's NOT Stovepipe Wells (I've been there). Ah well, so much for shattering the illusion (which was just hanging by a thread anyway).

Sol C

WOW!!! Great film. This one did take me by surprise. The film was well casted and the dialog is very sharp. The style of the film reminded me of the style of… MoreWOW!!! Great film. This one did take me by surprise. The film was well casted and the dialog is very sharp. The style of the film reminded me of the style of Smokin Aces. The film also reminded me of films like Suicide Kings and Wild Things. I definitely recommend this film.

Jonny Crumley

OK movie. The first half of the movie was fine, and then it tried to be a little too clever, and fell flat on it's face. But a seasoned cast of familiar… MoreOK movie. The first half of the movie was fine, and then it tried to be a little too clever, and fell flat on it's face. But a seasoned cast of familiar faces made it watchable, especially Alan Rickman as the pompous father

Lorenzo von Matterhorn

<i>"There is more barbarity in eating a man alive than in eating him dead."</i>
Barkley Michaelson is in a deep life rut. He's… More<i>"There is more barbarity in eating a man alive than in eating him dead."</i>
Barkley Michaelson is in a deep life rut. He's struggling to finish his PhD thesis when his father, the learned Eli Michaelson, wins the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
<center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center>
This is a perfect indie film with a bizarre script with endless twists and turns, excellent actors in quirky, often off-putting roles, a loud, funky soundtrack, and a pace that's so quick you'll need to see the movie twice to absorb it all. The ensemble cast is headed by Alan Rickman at his sarcastic best, wallowing happily in his role as a heartless husband and father. He's wonderful. Steenburgen's role is never fully explained; why would she stay married to such a beast? Bill Pullman is great as the cop who investigates the kidnapping. He's sympathetic, professional, and ultra-creepy all at the same time. Bryan Greenberg is good as the kidnap victim. Danny de Vito and Ted Danson round out the cast in small parts.
The exciting script will keep you guessing and the acting is top-notch. Recommended.

Chris Garman

There's nothing like a movie where Alan Rickman plays a total dick. He's a genius at it. No one comes close to what I refer to as "Rickman… MoreThere's nothing like a movie where Alan Rickman plays a total dick. He's a genius at it. No one comes close to what I refer to as "Rickman Dickery". He's an artist. Rembrandt worked in paints and Rickman works in being an asshole. Nobel Son is no exception with the Rickman playing Eli Michaelson, a chemist who has just won the Nobel Prize, pushing his ego even further into the stratosphere. What seems like good fortune for Michaelson soon sours as his son Barkley (Bryan Greenberg) is kidnapped and held for his fathers $2 million prize. Of course Eli isn't going to hand over his money so easily, but this gets muddled by taking a simple plot and turning it into a convoluted mess.
And that is the problem with Nobel Son. What was a simple plot that could have been played for great laughs, the film suddenly launches into too many sub plots: family trees, psych wards, stolen formulas, etc. The second half of the film becomes a road map to hell as you try to keep the plot straight and even after seeing it through there is no real answer to some of the more pressing questions in the film.
Rickman is awesome, of course, but the rest of the cast is a little ho-hum. Sure Danny DeVito is in this, but it's mainly a cameo. Bill Pullman pulls off the role of a smarter than average cop with the same success he would have playing Princess Diana. Mary Steenburgen does give the audience one glimmer ray of hope in an otherwise dud cast.
I don't know if Nobel Son tries too hard or too much, but the film collapses in its second half. This is mainly for Rickman fans. Others should steer clear.

Deb S

Grad student Barkley Michaelson (Bryan Greenberg) is getting his PhD but his choice of topic doesn't sit very well with his dad, an arrogant, pompous,… MoreGrad student Barkley Michaelson (Bryan Greenberg) is getting his PhD but his choice of topic doesn't sit very well with his dad, an arrogant, pompous, narcissistic college professor (Alan Rickman) who's just been awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry and who wants his son to carry on his legacy after he's gone. Boasting a troupe of talented veterans which includes Bill Pullman, Danny DeVito, Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Ernie Hudson, Shawn Hatosy, and Eliza Dushku, the film takes us on a dark ride with blazingly quick twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
Eliza Dushku stands out as the criminally involved seductive City Hall and Danny Devito give an outstanding performance as the neurotic neighbor still struggling with his OCD. I also enjoyed the fantastic and banging techno type music which is a major component of this film.

Chosen 718

Good indie dark comedy/mystery with some great performances. Very entertaining.